Your adventure begins

Port Call (You have orders to Okinawa what now?)

After receiving your port call, call your sponsor and tell him or her your flight number and scheduled date of arrival
(Japan time). Most importantly, if a last-minute change to your travel plans occurs, contact your sponsor immediately to let him or her know of the new flight and date.

If you arrive at Naha International Airport on a regularly-scheduled flight, proceed directly through customs. If your sponsor was not able to meet you, there will be a bus parked in front of the terminal which will take you to the Joint Reception Center and for Air Force personnel The bus will bring you to the Kadena lodging office, Shogun Inn (632-1817), or WestPac inn or Kuwae Lodge for Marines. Their you will be assisted in contacting your sponsor, or unit.

If you arrive at Naha International on an unscheduled flight proceed through customs and then to the military telephone located near customs. Call your sponsor or your unit DNCO; the call is free to Kadena. or call the 18th Transportation Squadron Vehicle Dispatch Office at 634-3345. You can dial 892-5111 to get the base operator for Marine Camps on the Okinawa.

If you arrive at the Kadena Passenger Terminal, you should be met by your sponsor. Also, their will volunteers at the terminal which will assist you in contacting your unit, squadron or sponsor if necessary.

Shipping household items

Most accompanied members coming to Okinawa can ship 2,000 pounds or 25 percent of their full weight allowance(whichever is greater). Household goods usually require 50-90 days transit time. Unaccompanied baggage requires
30-60 days.

Contact your current base transportation management office early to ensure effective planning for shipment. Also, your military personnel flight has information on additional weight allowance for shipping lamps, carpets, and pads as well as air conditioners, dehumidifiers, fans and heaters.

If you are planning to ship leather items, keep in mind the sub-tropical climate here is conducive to mold and mildew growth.

Kadena Transportation Management Office officials strongly recommend you put your firearms into non-temporary storage,
since they are not authorized to be shipped in your household goods or unaccompanied baggage (shotguns and rifles can be
mailed via parcel post; check with your local U.S. Postal Service office and the 18th Security Forces Squadron Armory at
DSN 634-1208 for details).

Household Items

The Kadena's military housing office has an excellent supply of furniture and other general household items available to
command-sponsored families, will need a copy of your orders with area clearance documents. It is best that while you are in processing you carry extra copies of these documents you will need them for many things.

Since base housing provides most of the larger appliances, including washers, dryers and refrigerators, you will probably
only need to ship smaller items such as blenders or toasters. Appliances are also available at the base exchange. Keep
in mind houses on Okinawa are much smaller than those you are accustomed to stateside and storage space is limited.

I will add more information as I research it to make sure it is accurate, things do change here.. Welcome to Okinawa

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